The 2 Biggest Fears of Photographers

By Michelle Ecker on August 2nd, 20182 min

In any profession, it’s really nerve-wracking to dive into a new career. And in the creative industry, these nerves are often even stronger. So many photography enthusiasts would love nothing more than to turn their hobby into a well-paid career, but negative thoughts and fears hold them back from taking steps to actually make that happen.

We thought it might be helpful to discuss some of the common apprehensions faced by aspiring pros and amateurs, and to talk about steps one can take to feel more confident in a decision to pursue their passion as a career path.

How Will I Make Money?

This is a common sentiment among aspiring photographers, and many other creatives of all kind. From writers and designers to models and musicians, so many individuals would love nothing more than to monetize an artistic passion, but simply aren’t sure the best way to go about it. Unlike other 9-5 careers that are more structured, have a definitive college degree requirement and routine application process, many creative professionals are self-employed. Many run their own businesses. Any many aren’t sure the best way to start making money.

When it comes to photography, there are several options available for those looking to get paid for their images. From opening your own portraiture studio or shooting weddings on location, to working on a magazine staff shooting fashion editorials, or pursuing photojournalism to photograph sports events- there are tons of jobs available for photographers, and many require different steps to get there. In every NYIP course, whether it’s on Landscape Photography or Weddings, an entire unit of curriculum will be devoted to business-intensive training. From marketing and branding to getting the proper paperwork in order before opening your own legitimate studio, our step-by-step curriculum can truly serve as a checklist on your way to making a legitimate profit off your work on a larger scale.

Beyond opening your own business, selling your photos individually is always an available option for artists looking to make money for their images. Getting started, these 5 websites will sell your photos and pay you varying royalties for the privilege.

Am I Talented Enough?

It can be hard to gauge whether or not you have adequate training and talent in your field. If you are interested in shooting weddings professionally, for example, but you’re worried your future clients won’t be satisfied with your work, the best thing you can do is put together a portfolio for them to browse.

If you’ve never shot a wedding before, you might think building said portfolio is impossible, but you’re wrong. If you check out this guide to building a beginner’s photography portfolio, you’ll see that there are various options available to you that serve as mini photography internships of sorts, opportunities to gain hands-on practice while building a portfolio of real work.

Beyond that, if you need help mastering higher-level camera technique, take an online photography course. You can pick one very specific to the career niche you’re interested in. You can work one on one with professional photographers who review all the photos you submit and respond with detailed feedback about what you’re great at, and what you can improve. And by the time you graduate, you’ll have a portfolio of all your finished schoolwork, ready to share with your first clients alongside a certificate from the largest, longest running photography school in the world.